Scientific Program

Selected Symposia

Friday 24 November

1. Non-invasive brain stimulation approaches to investigate behaviour

The use of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques offers significant opportunities to gain neurophysiological insights into the mechanisms associated with different forms of behaviour. In this symposium the four speakers will describe their research using cutting edge NIBS approaches to gain novel insights into cognitive and motor behaviour in both healthy and impaired humans.

Chairs:

Prof Michael C Ridding, The University of Adelaide

Prof John C Rothwell, University College London

Speakers:

Dr Mitchell Goldsworthy, The University of Adelaide

Dr Ann-Maree Vallence, Murdoch University

Dr Nigel Rogasch, Monash University

Ms Melanie Emonson, Monash University

2. Multiple approaches to understanding cognitive and brain development in children

Large advances have been made over the last decade in our understanding of children’s cognitive and brain development. This symposium showcases some very exciting research by developmental scientists from across Australia. The research presented within this symposium highlights the strengths of using different methods in developmental science in order to further understand the links between neural, cognitive, and behavioural variance and change.

Chair:

Dr Katherine Johnson, The University of Melbourne

Speakers:

Professor Virginia Slaughter, The University Of Queensland

Ms Benita Green, The University of Melbourne

Professor Kim Cornish, Monash University

Dr Marc Seal, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute

Sunday 26 November

1. Brain stimulation as a tool to probe brain and mind

Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques including transcranial magnetic stimulation are emerging as effective tools to selectively modulate the activity of whole-brain functional networks. This symposium will provide an overview of current knowledge on the effects of different stimulation techniques to the functional architecture of the brain and highlight the potential and pitfalls of brain stimulation as a tool for cognitive neuroscience.

Chair:

Dr Luca Cocchi, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute

Speakers:

Dr Luca Cocchi, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute

Dr Hannah Filmer, The University of Queensland

Dr Leonardo L. Gollo, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research

Dr Jennifer Rodger, The University of Western Australia

2. Cognitive control from the cradle to the grave

Across the lifespan, cognitive control is late to develop and early to decline. It is a point of contention whether similar or unique factors underlie this progression. This symposium will discuss factors influencing cognitive control in childhood, adolescence and late-life. The diversity of predictive factors, and behavioural consequences, across the lifespan illustrate that aging does not reflect development in reverse.

Parallel Talk and Fast Talk Presentations

The Fast Talks are 6 minutes long followed by 2 minutes of questions (total 8 minute slot).

PowerPoint slides must be used for all talk types. No personal computers can be used to present (to minimise wasting time).

Electronic Poster Gala

We will be running a two hour Poster Gala on Saturday 25 November in the UniSA Jeffery Smart Building. It will be an electronic poster format, utilising two large collaborative teaching rooms. This is the first time the Society has used this innovative method, which we hope will be more interactive (e.g. with videos), have less environmental impact and cost less (i.e. no need to print your poster!).

In each room there are circular tables with standard desk-top computer screens, and each table is connected to a large wall-mounted LCD screen (1240 x 680 mm). We will run two sessions within the Gala: Session A 5-6pm and Session B 6-7pm. During each one hour Session, two posters will be continually displayed at each table on standard computer screens, and for half an hour of this time, each of the posters will be projected to the large wall-mounted LCD screen. That is, each poster presenter will have their poster up for one hour on a small screen, and during this period, for half an hour on a large wall mounted screen (when it is expected the Presenter will be present). We will soon be publishing a program, detailing when and where each poster will be presented.

must use font no smaller than 14pt (see reference image HERE for visibility of different sized fonts). Note, size 12 font is difficult to read on the smaller screens.

poster files must be under 10MB (including media)

All posters should be submitted by 16 November to conference@acns.org.au. This will enable us to test your poster. You can submit it to us on the day, however there is a risk that elements may not work (as we will have no testing time). To be eligible for a Poster Presentation Prize (Honours/PhD/within two years post-doc), you must submit by 16 November.